Senator Rand Paul blocks Iran sanctions bill

On Tuesday Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) tried to pass the bill, which had support from both Democrats and Republicans, through the House quickly. According to Reuters, Reid dismissed some additional measures that Republicans wanted to add to the bill, in order to ensure its swift passing.

Promoting the bill, Reid said, "These sanctions are a key tool as we work to stop (Iran) from obtaining a nuclear weapon, threatening Israel and ultimately jeopardizing U.S. national security." However, Politico reported Reid's efforts were blocked by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, son of GOP candidate Ron Paul, who was concerned that the sanctions could be interpreted as authorizing force against Iran.

Senator Paul called for a vote to an amendment of the bill to add a measure to ensure nothing in the bill "shall be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization of use of force against Iran or Syria."

The Wall Street Journal meanwhile reported that the U.S. imposed additional sanctions on Iran on Tuesday for allegedly aiding Syria by transporting weapons and munitions to the Assad regime.